Among the notable changes: a new Recommendation 1 that should leave no doubt in operators' minds:

(1) Avoid operation in visible volcanic ash.

While that lead suggestion may seem obvious, previous versions of the safety information bulletin (SIB)--including the most recent update, issued in May 2011--were heavy on minimizing the impact of ash clouds on jetliners. While flying through ash was never condoned, EASA's previous recommendations focused on what to do after operating in or near ash-contaminated airspace.